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James Donaldson on Mental Health – The relationship between early adolescent bullying victimization and suicidal ideation: the longitudinal mediating role of self-efficacy
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This study aims to investigate the longitudinal interplay between early adolescent bullying victimization and suicidal ideation, and to analyze the mediating role of self-efficacy in their dynamic relationship.
Methods
A cluster sampling method was employed to select 1,023 seventh-grade students from a middle school in an urban district of Hunan Province between March and December 2023. Three waves of data collection were conducted using questionnaires that included scales for adolescent bullying victimization, suicidal ideation (PANSI), and general self-efficacy (GSES). The cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) was utilized to explore the reciprocal relationships between early bullying victimization, suicidal ideation, and self-efficacy.
Results
Early adolescent bullying victimization was found to both directly and indirectly predict suicidal ideation through its impact on self-efficacy. Conversely, suicidal ideation did not directly predict the level of bullying victimization but was able to indirectly predict it through its effect on self-efficacy.
Conclusion
The bullying victimization in early adolescents can directly predict the level of suicidal ideation and can also indirectly influence suicidal ideation by affecting self-efficacy; Suicidal ideation does not directly predict the level of bullying victimization; rather, it can indirectly predict bullying victimization through its impact on self-efficacy.
Suicide continues to be a significant global public health challenge [1]. Among related behaviors, suicidal ideation is often regarded as a precursor to suicide, reflecting an individual’s clear desire to end their life without having acted on it [2, 3]. Recent reports indicate that the prevalence of suicidal thoughts among adolescents worldwide ranges from 8.3 to 31.3%, underscoring a concerning trend [4,5,6]. Research suggests that early adolescence is a critical period for the development of suicidal ideation, as individuals often encounter increased academic pressure and changes in their social environment [7, 8]. Adolescents experiencing suicidal thoughts may suffer from negative emotions such as depression, anxiety, and despair, which can lead to self-harm or suicide [9, 10]. This situation can have a profound psychological impact on their families and communities, resulting in adverse social consequences [11, 12]. Given the widespread and harmful nature of suicidal ideation among adolescents, research on early suicidal thoughts in this population is essential.
Beyond its impact on adolescents’ mental and physical health, increasing research attention has been given to the mechanisms underlying the development of suicidal ideation [13]. Frequent reports of youth bullying incidents in online and social media have drawn significant academic attention [14]. Bullying victimization, as a crucial factor influencing suicidal ideation, refers to the phenomenon where individuals experience prolonged or repeated harm from others, characterized by its repetitive, intentional nature and power imbalance [15, 16]. Studies indicate that bullying victimization is widespread during adolescence, severely harming the mental and physical development of youth [58–60]. Prolonged experiences of bullying can deepen levels of suicidal ideation, consequently affecting overall quality of life [17, 18]. Although previous scholars have conducted valuable explorations into the relationship between suicidal ideation and bullying victimization, research examining the early suicidal ideation of adolescents from a longitudinal perspective remains scarce. There is ongoing debate regarding whether the relationship between early bullying victimization and suicidal ideation is mutually predictive or unidirectional [19].
Self-efficacy refers to an individual’s belief in their capacity to navigate specific situations and achieve desired outcomes [20]. As a crucial positive psychological asset in early adolescence, it is widely recognized for its role in promoting healthy behaviors and intervening in problematic behaviors [21, 22]. Recent studies have extensively examined the detrimental effects of low self-efficacy on early health-compromising behaviors among adolescents. On the one hand, low self-efficacy may exacerbate emotional distress, intensifying negative emotions such as depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation [23, 24]. On the other hand, low self-efficacy is also viewed as a vulnerability factor for bullying victimization, affecting adolescents’ social adaptability. This may lead individuals to adopt avoidant attitudes towards interpersonal interactions, resulting in marginalization and increased susceptibility to bullying [25, 26]. Notably, there remains a lack of research on the mechanisms underlying the relationship between self-efficacy, bullying victimization, and suicidal ideation, particularly regarding their dynamic characteristics, which require further investigation.
In summary, this study proposes the following hypotheses:
Hypothesis
a: Bullying victimization in early adolescence predicts suicidal ideation.
Hypothesis
b: Suicidal ideation in early adolescence inversely predicts bullying victimization.
Hypothesis
a: Bullying victimization in early adolescence predicts suicidal ideation through self-efficacy.
Hypothesis
b: Suicidal ideation in early adolescence inversely predicts bullying victimization through self-efficacy.
Previous studies have predominantly employed cross-sectional designs, failing to adequately reveal the complex relationships among suicidal ideation, bullying victimization, and self-efficacy. Mediation analysis using longitudinal data can address the limitations of cross-sectional studies, providing more reliable evidence for clarifying the interactions and mediating mechanisms among these variables [27, 28]. Therefore, this study aims to construct a Cross-Lagged Panel Model (CLPM) and utilize a three-wave longitudinal survey to investigate the interplay between early suicidal ideation and bullying victimization, analyzing the mediating role of self-efficacy. This research seeks to provide evidence-based insights for the mental and physical health development of adolescents.
Materials and methods
Participants
This study focuses on seventh-grade students from five public middle schools in a district of Hunan Province, China, who have no cognitive impairments and can independently complete questionnaires. Using a random cluster sampling method, we selected five classes from each school, resulting in a total of 1,276 seventh-grade students as the tracking sample. Assessments were conducted in September 2023, March 2024, and September 2024. After excluding invalid questionnaires with missing values or inconsistent responses, 1,023 completed questionnaires with consistent coding across all three assessments were retained as the final valid research sample.
This study was approved by the Biomedical Ethics Committee of Jishou University (Approval No. JSDX-2023-0034), and data from the follow-up investigation will be used solely for academic analysis and research purposes. Prior to data collection, the research team contacted the administrative departments of the participating schools to introduce the study’s objectives, methods, and ethical considerations, obtaining written approval from the relevant authorities. In accordance with ethical guidelines for research involving minors, the research team informed all participating students and their parents about the study’s purpose, procedures, and confidentiality measures. Assent was obtained from all student participants, and informed consent was provided by their parents.
Procedures
The investigators in this study were graduate students from the School of Sports Science at Jishou University, demonstrating strong professional competence and a rigorous work ethic. Before data collection, all investigators received standardized training covering key terminology, questionnaire content, and relevant academic concepts. The assessments were conducted anonymously in classrooms, with questionnaires distributed and collected on-site. Informed consent was obtained from both class teachers and participants before data collection. At the beginning of the assessments, investigators explained the study’s purpose and provided standardized instructions to ensure participants fully understood the questionnaire requirements. Participants were informed that their data would be used exclusively for scientific research and that their personal information would remain confidential. They were encouraged to respond honestly and ask for clarification if needed. Investigators answered these inquiries following the original scale guidelines to ensure accurate completion.
Instruments
Basic information
In this study, participants’ basic demographic information was collected through a questionnaire, including gender, left-behind status and only-child status.
Left-behind status was categorized into left-behind adolescents and non-left-behind adolescents. Left-Behind adolescents were defined as those who, in the past six months, had been left in rural areas under the care of other relatives or guardians due to parental labor migration. In contrast, Non-Left-Behind adolescents were those who had lived with both parents during the past six months and had not been separated due to parental migration [29, 30]. Regarding only-child status, an Only-Child was defined as the sole child in a family, with parents having neither biological nor adopted siblings. Conversely, a Non-Only-Child referred to an individual who had at least one biological or adopted sibling within the family structure [31, 32].
Bullying victimization
The study utilized a bullying victimization scale from Ji Chengye’s “Comprehensive Survey Report on Health-Related/Risk Behaviors among Chinese Adolescents” [33]. This scale consists of seven items (e.g., “Have you been maliciously teased?“), employing a 4-point Likert scoring system, ranging from 1 = “Never” to 4 = “Always.” It encompasses four dimensions: physical bullying, verbal bullying, relational bullying, and sexual harassment. A higher total score indicates a greater severity of bullying experienced by the individual. In this study, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for this scale were 0.91, 0.89, and 0.92 across three assessments.
Self-Efficacy
The study employed the Chinese version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), developed by Schwarzer et al. and translated and revised by Wang Caikang et al. [34, 35], to assess early self-efficacy in adolescents. The scale consists of 10 items (e.g., “If I try my best, I can always solve problems.“), employing a 4-point Likert scoring system, ranging from 1 = “Not at all true” to 4 = “Exactly true.” A higher total score indicates greater self-efficacy. In this research, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the scale were 0.86, 0.87, and 0.85 across three assessments.
Suicidal ideation
The study utilized the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation Scale (PANSI), developed by Osman et al. and translated by Wang Xuezhi et al. [36, 37], to assess early suicidal ideation in adolescents. This scale contains 14 items (e.g., “Feeling hopeless about the future and having thoughts of suicide.”), employing a 5-point Likert scoring system ranging from 1 = “Never” to 5 = “Often.” Participants rated each item based on their experiences over the past two weeks, which encompass two dimensions: positive suicidal ideation (6 items) and negative suicidal ideation (8 items). Positive suicidal ideation scores are reverse-coded, and the total score is calculated by summing the item scores, with higher scores indicating greater suicidal ideation. In this study, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the scale across three assessments were 0.88, 0.90, and 0.89.
Data analysis
Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 27.0 and Mplus 8.3. Descriptive statistics were performed in SPSS 27.0, with categorical data expressed as frequencies and percentages, and continuous data presented as mean?±?standard deviation (—x±s). Group comparisons were carried out using t-tests or one-way ANOVA. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to examine the relationships between variables.
After controlling for demographic factors such as gender, rural residency status, and only-child status, we constructed a cross-lagged model using Mplus 8.3. The cross-lagged model is a statistical approach designed for longitudinal data and is commonly used to test hypotheses and explore causal relationships among variables. By analyzing variable relationships at different time points, this method helps reveal causal directions and mutual influences. In this study, we used autoregressive and cross-lagged regression coefficients to analyze the longitudinal relationship between early suicidal ideation and bullying victimization in adolescents [38]. We employed the bootstrap method to examine the longitudinal mediating effect of self-efficacy between suicidal ideation and bullying victimization. We conducted model estimation using robust maximum likelihood estimation (MLR) and handled missing data with full information maximum likelihood estimation (FIML). We assessed model adequacy using multiple fit indices, including the comparative fit index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis index (TLI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR). According to standard cutoff criteria, CFI/TLI?>?0.90 and SRMR/RMSEA?<?0.10 indicate a good model fit [39, 40]. The significance level was set at ??=?0.05.
Result
Participant characteristics
The sample comprised 528 boys and 495 girls; 124 left-behind adolescents and 899 non-left-behind adolescents; 235 Only-Child and 788 Non-Only Child, with a mean age of 12.28?±?0.47 years at T1. Chi-square/t-test results indicated no statistically significant differences (all P?>?0.05) in demographic variables, bullying victimization, self-efficacy, or suicidal ideation scores between participants who dropped out and those who completed all three surveys, suggesting no structural attrition among the participants.
Common method Bias
Given that the data for this study were obtained from subjective questionnaires, it is essential to examine whether the data are affected by systematic bias due to common method variance [41]. We employed Harman’s single-factor test to conduct unrotated exploratory factor analysis on all items from the three data collection rounds. The results indicated that the variance explained by the first factor was 14.25%, 17.83%, and 20.49% across the three measurements, all below the critical threshold of 40% [42]. This suggests that there is no significant common method bias present in this study.
Comparison of scores on various scales among adolescents with different demographic characteristics
A comparison of scores on early bullying victimization, self-efficacy, and suicidal ideation among adolescents with varying demographic characteristics (gender, left-behind status, and only-child status) revealed significant differences (see Table 1). Specifically, boy and girl adolescents exhibited statistically significant differences in bullying victimization at T1 and T3, as well as in self-efficacy and suicidal ideation scores across all stages (all p?<?0.05). Additionally, differences in bullying victimization at T1 and T3, as well as in self-efficacy and suicidal ideation scores across all stages, were also statistically significant among adolescents based on their left-behind status (all p?<?0.05). Furthermore, significant differences were found in bullying victimization at T3, as well as in self-efficacy scores at T2 and T3 among only children (all p?<?0.05).Table 1 Scores on various scales among adolescents with different demographic characteristics
The means, standard errors, and correlation coefficient matrix for early bullying victimization, self-efficacy, and suicidal ideation in adolescents across three measurement points are presented in Table 2. Scores for bullying victimization fluctuated from T1 to T3, while self-efficacy scores showed an increasing trend, and suicidal ideation scores exhibited a decreasing trend. The self-efficacy scores from the three measurements were significantly negatively correlated with both bullying victimization and suicidal ideation scores (r = -0.237 to -0.580, P?<?0.01). Additionally, bullying victimization scores were significantly positively correlated with suicidal ideation scores (r?=?0.231 to 0.455, P?<?0.01).Table 2 Statistical descriptions and correlation analysis at each measurement point
Constructing a Cross-Lagged model of early bullying victimization, Self-Efficacy, and suicidal ideation in adolescents
This study employs three waves of longitudinal data to perform a cross-lagged regression analysis of early bullying victimization, self-efficacy, and suicidal ideation among adolescents. Demographic factors, including gender, guardian status, and whether the adolescent is an only child, are controlled for as they may influence model fit. Model fit results indicate that the cross-lagged regression model for early bullying victimization, self-efficacy, and suicidal ideation exhibits a good fit. (?²/df?=?2.943, RMSEA?=?0.044, CFI?=?0.995, TLI?=?0.970, SRMR?=?0.015).
Autoregressive effects
The results of the cross-lagged analysis are shown in Fig. 1. The autoregressive coefficients indicate significant relationships across different time points, suggesting that prior scores can positively predict subsequent levels of the same variables, including bullying victimization, self-efficacy, and suicidal ideation.
Direct effects
The causal regression model indicates that T1 bullying victimization significantly predicts T2 self-efficacy and T2 suicidal ideation, whereas T2 bullying victimization significantly predicts T3 suicidal ideation but not T3 self-efficacy. Furthermore, T1 self-efficacy significantly predicts T2 bullying victimization and T2 suicidal ideation, and T2 self-efficacy significantly predicts T3 bullying victimization and T3 suicidal ideation. T1 suicidal ideation significantly predicts T2 self-efficacy but not T2 bullying victimization, while T2 suicidal ideation does not significantly predict T3 self-efficacy or T3 bullying victimization.
Indirect effects
As there were some significant direct paths between bullying victimization, self-efficacy, and suicidal ideation across consecutive waves, the hypothesized in direct effects were investigated. The Bootstrap method was utilized to test the mediating effect of self-efficacy; a 95% confidence interval not including zero supports the existence of a mediating effect. Results reveal that T2 self-efficacy mediates the relationship between T1 bullying victimization and T3 suicidal ideation (??=?0.012, 95% CI?=?0.003–0.024, P?<?0.05); T2 self-efficacy mediates the relationship between T3 bullying victimization and T1 suicidal ideation (??=?0.016, 95% CI?=?0.004–0.035, P?<?0.05).
Fig. 1
Discussion
This study finds that early bullying victimization in adolescents has a unidirectional predictive relationship with suicidal ideation, indicating that the degree of bullying victimization can predict the level of suicidal thoughts. This result aligns with previous research [43], supporting hypothesis 1a while refuting 1b. Furthermore, this study addresses the limitations of prior cross-sectional research by employing a longitudinal design, revealing the persistent impact of bullying victimization on the development of suicidal ideation. Interpersonal theories of suicide suggest that feelings of alienation and perceptions of being a burden are crucial factors in the formation and escalation of suicidal thoughts [44, 45]. Adolescents who experience bullying may develop negative self-evaluations and perceptions of their environment, significantly affecting their sense of belonging and their ability to support intimate relationships. These negative cognitions can lead adolescents to perceive themselves as burdens in social contexts, heightening feelings of alienation and burden, thereby fulfilling the initial conditions for suicidal thoughts and behaviors [46, 47].
The mediation effect analysis reveals that early self-efficacy in adolescents serves as a complete mediator in the relationship between bullying victimization and suicidal ideation, supporting Hypothesis 2a. This indicates that bullying victimization increases suicidal ideation by diminishing individual self-efficacy, aligning with the Motivation-Volition Integration Model [48]. This model outlines three stages in the development of suicidal behavior: the pre-motivational stage, the motivational stage, and the volitional stage [49, 50]. In the pre-motivational stage, the focus is on factors that trigger suicidal ideation, including environmental influences and negative life events. Bullying, a common negative life event for adolescents, elicits strong feelings of frustration and humiliation, leading to a decline in life motivation and contributing to low self-esteem and self-efficacy, resulting in a sense of entrapment [51]. The motivational stage involves the formation of suicidal ideation, where prolonged negative psychological states heighten the likelihood of transitioning from a sense of entrapment to suicidal thoughts, influencing attitudes toward suicide and death [52]. Finally, the volitional stage describes the process of converting suicidal ideation into suicidal behavior; as psychological conditions worsen and suicidal thoughts intensify, these ideations can easily evolve into actual self-harm or suicide [53]. Overall, bullying victimization represents a significant negative event in early adolescence that leads to decreased self-efficacy. Individuals enduring prolonged low self-efficacy may experience reduced fear of death and increased tolerance for the pain associated with suicide, resulting in stronger suicidal ideations and placing adolescents at heightened risk for suicidal behaviors.
The mediation analysis reveals that early self-efficacy in adolescents fully mediates the relationship between suicidal ideation and bullying victimization. This suggests that although suicidal ideation in early adolescents does not directly affect the degree of bullying victimization, it can influence this through self-efficacy, supporting Hypothesis 2b. First, suicidal ideation predicts levels of self-efficacy, consistent with prior research [54]. Suicidal behavior may serve as a means of self-escape and avoidance. Due to their unique developmental stage, early adolescents often lack the problem-solving abilities and willpower seen in adults. Those with suicidal thoughts may resort to irrelevant and avoidant coping strategies, resulting in noticeably low self-efficacy in real-life situations [55, 56]. Second, self-efficacy further predicts the extent of individual bullying victimization. Research indicates that self-efficacy, as a form of psychological capital, can forecast the development of early bullying victimization among adolescents. Low self-efficacy often leads these individuals to endure rather than retaliate or seek help when faced with aggression, diminishing their social functioning and emotional regulation, while simultaneously increasing the frequency and severity of bullying experiences, trapping them in a deeper crisis [57]. Overall, self-efficacy plays a crucial role in the dynamic relationship between early bullying victimization and suicidal ideation in adolescents. As a mediator, bullying victimization can intensify suicidal thoughts, which may, in turn, increase the likelihood of further bullying. Over time, this may create a vicious cycle of “bullying victimization—intensified suicidal ideation—secondary victimization,” ultimately leading to concrete suicidal behaviors. This underscores the need to target self-efficacy in research and intervention strategies related to bullying victimization and suicidal ideation in adolescents, aiming to enhance their quality of life.
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
In this study, we examines the longitudinal mediating role of early self-efficacy in adolescents between bullying victimization and suicidal ideation. The findings contribute theoretical insights and empirical evidence regarding the mechanisms linking early bullying victimization to suicidal thoughts in adolescents. Additionally, the research offers valuable guidance for fostering early self-efficacy and addressing both bullying victimization and suicidal ideation.
However, this study has several limitations. First, as the sample was drawn from public middle schools in a city in Hunan Province, its representativeness is limited. Future research should consider incorporating more diverse school settings, such as rural and private schools, to enhance the generalizability of the findings. Second, the influence of peer and family factors on the dynamic relationship between bullying victimization and suicidal ideation cannot be overlooked. Future studies should further examine the predictive roles of these factors to provide targeted interventions aimed at improving adolescents’ quality of life. Third, this study relied on self-report questionnaires, which may be subject to social desirability bias or response bias. Future research should broaden the sample scope and adopt more objective data collection methods.
Conclusion
Based on the research findings, this study presents the following conclusions: (1) The bullying victimization in early adolescents can directly predict the level of suicidal ideation and can also indirectly influence suicidal ideation by affecting self-efficacy; (2) Suicidal ideation does not directly predict the level of bullying victimization; rather, it can indirectly predict bullying victimization through its impact on self-efficacy. These results suggest that future research should consider two important aspects: first, strategies to curb early bullying victimization must be developed to mitigate its negative impacts on victims’ mental and physical health and to prevent self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Second, self-efficacy should be explored as an effective target for interventions aimed at controlling the relationship between bullying victimization and suicidal ideation. Enhancing adolescents’ self-efficacy can significantly improve their quality of life and promote healthy development.
Data availability
The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are not publicly available due [our experimental team’s policy] but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at [email protected] and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
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